Training in Hope

For Meditation

Do you know anyone that you would describe as godly? What is it about that person that caused you to think of them? Have you ever thought about what it means to be godly and how you or someone could become godly?

Much like getting in shape requires effort so does becoming godly. And while we aren’t naturally inclined to train for godliness, the Holy Spirit gives us the desire to become more godly. We need this, not only so that we inherit eternal life but also because godliness holds blessings for our lives today. This may seem counterintuitive based on the way our world seems to be going and this makes living a godly life more difficult, but because of the hope we have in Jesus we can labor and strive towards this.

In what ways have you seen godliness as a benefit for your life today? In what ways has it seemed to be difficult? God has called us to be godly, and he has given us all that we need in order to strive for it. We can do this because the one calls us is also the one who saves us, enabling us to be live godly lives.

1 Timothy 4:7–10

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.